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My Thoughts on Manny Ramirez and the Ricketts Video

It’s been a little quiet on my end when it comes to putting up new content. To be honest, I hadn’t watched a full game or even close to it in two weeks, so it’s hard to write about something you’re not actually consuming. Sunday I watched the game in full, so it’s time to come out of hibernation and discuss some of the recent news around this team.

Manny Ramirez Signing – I posted the media release yesterday that the Cubs had signed the former Red Sox slugger to a deal that makes him a player / coach in AAA. What I find to be a load of BS is the statement from the Cubs about if Ramirez would be a member of the Major League roster.

While Manny is not and will not be a fit on the Cubs major league roster, we do think at this stage of his life he’s a nice fit as a mentor for some of the young talented hitters we have in the organization. Manny will coach full-time and play part-time in a limited role that does not take at-bats away from our prospects. If he shows there is still some magic in his bat, perhaps he will find his way to the major leagues and help another team, but that is not why he is here. We are thrilled that he wants to work with our young hitters and make a difference.

That’s such a lie. You know that if he is crushing the ball in AAA, with ticket sales down, that the Cubs would purchase his contract and call him up with the hopes of generating a buzz before trading him to a contender. Just be honest with what you’re planning. I have no problem with him being here or the role they have brought him in to fill. He’s a great hitter and should have knowledge to impart, but don’t tell some garbage line about why he’s here. That crap pisses me off.

Tom Ricketts Video – If you haven’t seen the video yet, take a minute to watch it. At first, my reaction was that the video was cheesy and just another example of what makes us a laughing stock. However, as I look at it more, I think it was a good idea. I think it shows fans what the facilities are truly like. I don’t blame the Ricketts family for not doing some renovations while they wait for the jumbo-tron stuff to be sorted out. I wouldn’t throw money into a place that I might ultimately move from, either. Now the Ricketts family have put the ball in their court and it’s time to deliver. They’ve said they will move forward. Now it’s time to act on it

I thought the video was excellent on several levels. 1) it shows the lack of baseball amenities. How the hitters warm up in a game is a joke for a major league team. 2) It is taking the legal/political battle to the people. The city is part of any rebuilding project and to have the peoples backing will help politically with the city and possibly in court also.

I think the Ricketts family is sincere in improving the Cubs and Wrigley and I hope they are successful.

As far as the Manny Ramirez ‘lie’, they may be sincere or if it is a lie it is for the media. They are inviting a high profile media circus into Des Moines and this is a way to keep the media from sniffing around and asking the same question day after day, “When is Manny coming up?” Anytime you can preemptively silence the media in a possible media circus situation I support it.

And heck, if Manny is crushing it in AAA you know the fans will start asking the Cubs to go back on their word and bring him up. Also, they don’t close the door on a trading Manny to a Major League team so they still can pick up prospects for him. This is smart.

Doc Raker

I thought the video was excellent on several levels. 1) it shows the lack of baseball amenities. How the hitters warm up in a game is a joke for a major league team. 2) It is taking the legal/political battle to the people. The city is part of any rebuilding project and to have the peoples backing will help politically with the city and possibly in court also.

I think the Ricketts family is sincere in improving the Cubs and Wrigley and I hope they are successful.

As far as the Manny Ramirez ‘lie’, they may be sincere or if it is a lie it is for the media. They are inviting a high profile media circus into Des Moines and this is a way to keep the media from sniffing around and asking the same question day after day, “When is Manny coming up?” Anytime you can preemptively silence the media in a possible media circus situation I support it.

And heck, if Manny is crushing it in AAA you know the fans will start asking the Cubs to go back on their word and bring him up. Also, they don’t close the door on a trading Manny to a Major League team so they still can pick up prospects for him. This is smart.

PLCB3

The rooftop owners are going to lose either way. There is no way around it. They stall things, the Cubs can either leave Wrigley and the rooftop owners can keep 83% of their revenues. Those revenues being zero. Or the Cubs can say go ahead keep your contract. Then when the 2023 season ends, the Cubs can say get bent, and cut the rooftop owners out. Or the rooftops can stop stalling things and they’ll get something. But last time I checked, some money is better than zero money, isn’t it?

AC0000000

The rooftop owners are going to lose either way. There is no way around it. They stall things, the Cubs can either leave Wrigley and the rooftop owners can keep 83% of their revenues. Those revenues being zero. Or the Cubs can say go ahead keep your contract. Then when the 2023 season ends, the Cubs can say get bent, and cut the rooftop owners out. Or the rooftops can stop stalling things and they’ll get something. But last time I checked, some money is better than zero money, isn’t it?

PLCB3

IMO, the Manny signing is a non-story. If he’s not doing what he was brought in to do, he’ll be gone. Steroids or not, Manny was a great hitter.

Tough to say. Maybe an improved plate approach has you seeing more pitches during the 4 ABs, the pitcher gets the hook, your team beats up on the pen a bit and you see a fifth set. Maybe you would be a bit less dismissive of your Little League stats.. and less hesitant to bring them up to potential employers.

PLCB3

A 5 for 5 game instead of a 4 for 4 game and a grand slam robbing catch instead of a grand slam saving knockdown would still likely have me in the same place.

Doc Raker

You would be in the bigs if you went 5 for 5 and actually caught the ball.

PLCB3

What about all the games where I swung at bad pitches, airmailed the cutoff man, pulled the 1B off the bag, and got thrown out on the bases. That happened a lot more.

Tough to say. Maybe an improved plate approach has you seeing more pitches during the 4 ABs, the pitcher gets the hook, your team beats up on the pen a bit and you see a fifth set. Maybe you would be a bit less dismissive of your Little League stats.. and less hesitant to bring them up to potential employers.

AC0000000

A 5 for 5 game instead of a 4 for 4 game and a grand slam robbing catch instead of a grand slam saving knockdown would still likely have me in the same place.

Doc Raker

You would be in the bigs if you went 5 for 5 and actually caught the ball.

AC0000000

What about all the games where I swung at bad pitches, airmailed the cutoff man, pulled the 1B off the bag, and got thrown out on the bases. That happened a lot more.